Scottish FA launch fresh investigation into Livingston

Livingston could face more sanctions after the Scottish FA launched a fresh probe into the Lions over former majority shareholder Neil Rankine.

The troubled Championship outfit were handed a £5,000 fine and transfer ban by the Scottish FA last April after being found guilty of breaching dual ownership rules due to Rankine’s involvement with East Fife.

Livingston were docked five points over tax breaches in November 2014

That embargo was lifted last summer when Rankine was said to have disposed of his shareholding in Livingston.

Former West Lothian council deputy chief executive Gordon Ford subsequently became the single biggest shareholder after being handed a 40 per cent stake.

And speaking last June, Ford was adamant that Rankine had left the building, saying:

“Some people seem to be questioning whether or not Neil Rankine has left the club. He absolutely has done.”

But it is understood that new information has come to light regarding the club’s governance and SFA compliance officer Tony McGlennan is making enquiries into the matter.

The Scottish Professional Football League are also aware of the situation.

Livingston do not have their problems to seek with David Hopkin’s team currently in the Championship relegation play-off zone, four points ahead of Alloa and five adrift of eighth place Dumbarton.

The club survived in the second tier last season despite being handed a five-point penalty and fined £10,000 by the SPFL over tax breaches.